§ Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the fact that some councils are taking the view that planning documents submitted by applicants are protected by copyright, thus inhibiting parish councils from receiving copies, and that alternative documentation does not provide sufficient information for parish councils to come to a sensible conclusion about planning applications, he will introduce legislation to clarify this matter; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SilkinWhere district councils consider it appropriate, they need not 485W be inhibited from making available to parish councils one of the copies of an application and supporting documents. This was made clear in paragraph 4 of Circular 43/74. The working of present arrangements is to be reviewed after a reasonable time, in the light of any views expressed in Mr. George Dobry's final report on development control.